A compilation of celebrity fathers, ranked loosely by fame, who have failed in their parental roles despite success in other areas of life. Whether through neglect, denial, or other transgressions, these dads have disappointed their children. While some have redeemed themselves, others remain on this list of famous deadbeat dads, highlighting their shortcomings as fathers.
Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown, known for his 15-year marriage to Whitney Houston, has a track record of neglecting child support payments. He faced jail time multiple times for missed payments, including a three-day stint in 2007 for owing almost $20,000 to his ex, Kim Ward. He was bailed out by Hot 99.5 FM in Washington, D.C., in exchange for a week of interviews and appearances.
DMX
Rapper DMX, born Earl Simmons, was arrested in NYC for owing over $400,000 in child support. The 44-year-old was apprehended just before a scheduled performance at Radio City Music Hall in June 2015. Alongside child support problems, DMX faced outstanding warrants for bail jumping and driving with a suspended license. He was subsequently sentenced to six months in jail.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Gabriel Aubry
TMZ reported that Halle Berry has been paying her ex, Gabriel Aubry, $16,000 per month in child support for their 6-year-old daughter, Nahla, since 2011 when they were granted joint custody. However, it’s claimed that Aubry has been relying solely on this support, neglecting to seek employment or save for their child. In 2014, Berry sought a reduction in the monthly payment to $3,000, asserting that it would encourage him to contribute financially and actively support Nahla.
Source:
reddit
Karl Malone
Recognized as one of the greatest NBA players, he has a less admirable reputation for neglecting his three children during much of his career. Notably, he informed his son at his high school graduation that it was “too late” for a relationship. Additionally, he only became aware of his twins’ existence when a tabloid exposed the story 17 years later. At 20, he impregnated a 13-year-old, engaging in a well-known legal battle over the $125/week child support payments. Two of his children, Cheryl Ford and Demetrius Bell, have gone on to become professional athletes in the WNBA and another sport, respectively.
Source:
reddit
Michael Lohan
Lindsay Lohan’s father, known for his struggles with alcohol and cocaine, declined to fulfill his child support obligations and reportedly exploited his daughter in the entertainment industry. He extensively blamed others, including his wife, for Lindsay’s downward spiral into dysfunction. His actions have raised questions about his role in contributing to Lindsay Lohan’s challenges.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman, the ex-Chicago Bulls star and known acquaintance of Kim Jong Un, was mandated to pay $500,000 in overdue child support to his ex-wife, Michelle Rodman, in 2012. Earlier that same year, he had been directed to complete over 100 hours of community service for failing to make payments in 2009 and 2010.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Val Kilmer
In 2011, Val Kilmer’s ex-wife, Joanne Whalley, asserted that the “Batman Forever” actor had defaulted on his $27,500 per month child support payments for their two children.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Matthew Knowles
Beyoncé’s father and former manager, Matthew Knowles, faced allegations of multiple affairs, including one that resulted in a neglected love child. Additionally, he was accused of financial misappropriation by his globally renowned daughter, leading to his removal from her management team.
Source:
reddit
Evander Holyfield
The boxing legend, reportedly in debt with $327,858.36 in child support for his 12 children from 6 different women, faces the potential suspension of his driver’s license if he doesn’t settle the payments soon. This may explain why, at the age of 50, he continues to step into the ring despite facing challenges.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Francois-Henri Pinault
In 2011, supermodel Linda Evangelista’s attorney accused her ex-husband, billionaire Francois-Henry Pinault, of contributing nothing towards child support for their son Augie. Pinault, who is now married to Salma Hayek, denied the allegation. Evangelista sought $46,000 a month in child support, which, if granted, would have been one of the highest orders in family court history. Despite the significant amount, Pinault, heir to an $11.5 billion family estate, earns around $5 million annually as the CEO of the fashion company PPR.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Terrell Owens
Over the years, former NFL player Terrell Owens has faced challenges in meeting child support obligations to the four women with whom he shares children. Despite earning approximately $80 million during his football career, Owens declared himself broke in 2011 and filed legal documents seeking a reduction in the cost of the payments.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Allen Iverson
Tawanna Iverson, Allen Iverson’s ex-wife, alleges that he is a deadbeat dad who emptied their joint account – funds she used to support their five children – after she filed for divorce, leaving her financially drained. Despite Allen Iverson’s substantial NBA career earnings of around $200 million, he has consistently refused to fulfill his financial responsibilities, leading to multiple court appearances.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Jude Law
Jude Law is widely regarded as a great father to the three children he shares with ex-wife Sadie Frost. However, his reputation as a less-than-ideal dad stems from initially denying the existence of his fourth, illegitimate child, Sophia, until a paternity test confirmed his parenthood. Following the test, Law took responsible steps to support Sophia and her mother, Samantha Burke, a model with whom he had a one-night stand. Despite efforts to provide for his daughter, Law has occasionally been observed neglecting her in public.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Jermaine Dupri
In a past incident, rapper/producer Jermaine Dupri faced difficulties meeting child support payments to Sarai Jones, the mother of his then-seven-month-old baby girl. Due to financial hardships, he was unable to pay the monthly $2,500 plus a $7,500 fee. In response, Jones took legal action, suing him for the unpaid child support.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Levi Johnston
Levi Johnston, known for having a son with Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol in December 2008, allegedly owes $67,000 in overdue child support. Instead of prioritizing financial responsibilities for his son, Tripp, reports suggest that Johnston has been spending his money on items like guns, boats, and four-wheelers. According to a source in May 2012, despite earning over $1 million that year, Johnston apparently squandered his income on these “manly” expenses rather than fulfilling his child support obligations.
Source:
reddit
Skeet Ulrich
In January 2013, 90s actor Skeet Ulrich, recognized for his role in “Scream,” faced legal charges for being behind on child support payments to his ex-wife, Georgina Cates.
Source:
reddit
Flavor Flav
Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav encountered a 180-day jail sentence threat in May 2012 due to his failure to pay over $111,000 in back child support to Angie Parker, the mother of three of his seven children. However, in June 2012, he managed to evade imprisonment by making an upfront payment of $25,000 to Parker and agreeing to increase his monthly payments to her by an additional $1,200.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Edward Furlong
The former child star known for roles in films like “Terminator 2,” “Pet Sematary Two,” and “American Heart” has faced a troubling pattern of drug abuse, arrests, and alcoholism over the last decade. Reports include instances of domestic abuse and tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid child support. In December 2012, his wife alleged the most severe accusation, claiming that their 6-year-old son tested positive for cocaine after a visit with him.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Nas
In 2009, Nas’ ex-wife, Kelis, filed for divorce while eight months pregnant, citing his infidelity as the reason. Following the split, Kelis claimed financial hardship, alleging that Nas refused to provide financial support. The former couple engaged in a lengthy legal battle, with Nas eventually being ordered to pay a significant amount in financial support.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
David Hasselhoff
In 2007, David Hasselhoff earned a lasting place in the Bad Dad Hall of Fame when his teenage daughter, Taylor, released a humiliating home video showing him in a drunken stupor, lying on the floor and eating a hamburger. While the incident could be seen as comical, it also carried a tinge of sadness.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Alec Baldwin
In 2007, Alec Baldwin garnered significant media attention when a voicemail surfaced in which he berated his then-11-year-old daughter, calling her a “thoughtless little pig” and making other disparaging remarks for missing his phone call.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy initially attempted to deny paternity of Mel B’s daughter, Angel, despite a paternity test confirming otherwise. For years, attempts to communicate from Mel B’s side received no response from the comedian. In 2018, reports suggested that Murphy informed a Los Angeles court of his lack of interest in seeing his daughter.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Steven Tyler
In the late 70s, fashion model Bebe Buell had an eight-month romance with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, resulting in her pregnancy with daughter Liv. At the time, Tyler was heavily involved in the rockstar lifestyle, so Buell claimed her boyfriend at the time, Todd Rundgren, as the father. Rundgren and Liv’s mother separated when Liv was young, and she grew up believing Rundgren was her father until she met Steven Tyler backstage at an Aerosmith show at the age of 11. Liv’s realization came when she noticed a striking resemblance to Tyler’s other daughter, Mia. Despite the initial confusion, Liv and Steven Tyler have since developed a somewhat normal, albeit distant, father-daughter relationship.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
50 Cent
Allegedly, 50 Cent disowned his teenage son, Marquise, following a contentious text conversation that included derogatory comments about Marquise’s mother. The exchange reportedly featured remarks such as, “I need a blood test cause that dck sucking btch you call mom was f*cking the whole time.” Since the argument, 50 Cent has not seen his son for a period of two years.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Joseph Jackson
Poppa Joe, who assembled one of the greatest music groups and shaped his youngest son Michael into an iconic entertainer, is a highly polarizing figure known for being abusive and cruel. Following Michael’s tragic death, Poppa Joe requested that his son’s estate cover living expenses amounting to $26,000 per month, despite being left off the will.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Caitlyn Jenner
The Olympian-turned-reality-star was notably absent for much of his son Brody Jenner’s first decade of life. Although Bruce has been a positive father figure to his children with Kris Kardashian, Brody continues to harbor resentment.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Charlie Sheen
In addition to his eccentric behavior, Charlie Sheen has faced accusations of domestic violence, engaged in high-profile benders and rants, resulting in the loss of custody of his children. His recent actions include attempting to evict his ex-wife, Denise Richards, and their two daughters from a house he owns.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Joe Walsh
Unsuccessful Tea Party candidate Joe Walsh struggled to shake off the label of “deadbeat dad” during his 2012 congressional campaign. Walsh faced criticism for being behind on his child support payments and asserted that he was unable to meet those financial obligations at the time.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger had an affair with his housekeeper, Mildred Baena, and initially didn’t inquire whether her son, Joseph, might be his. Over time, the resemblance between Arnold and Joseph became apparent. In an attempt to keep the situation quiet, the Terminator star covertly provided financial support to Mildred. However, the secret eventually became public, leading to a revelation about Joseph’s paternity.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Woody Allen
Woody Allen’s personal life has sparked varied opinions. A notable fact is his involvement with Soon-Yi Previn, the 21-year-old adopted daughter of his longtime partner Mia Farrow, whom he later married when he was 56. The relationship triggered a lengthy and public custody battle over their three children. Additionally, Farrow accused Allen of molesting their adopted daughter, Dylan, who was 7 years old at the time. While the courts granted Farrow custody of their children, they did not find evidence to support the molestation allegations. The debate over these events continues to generate ongoing discussions and differing perspectives.
Source:
Wikimedia Commons
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Article Sources:
.jpg)
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.